Timing and phase control circuits



May 177, i949. R. M. BowlE 4 2,470,464

TIMING'v AND PHASE CONTROL CIRCUITS Filed Aug. 3, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 /J U50/LLAME NVVV BLANK/Ns /7 f TeANsM/rri PULSE Fa/W@ /74` Tic-1- l.

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We' Al l MM ATTORNEY May 17, i949., R. M. Bowls TIMING AND PHASE CONTROL CIRCUITS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 3. 1942 5165 0F CAW/0p: PAV Tua:

INVENTOR May 17, 1949'. 1m. BO'WIE 2,470,464

TIMING AND PHASE CONTROL CIRCUITS Filed Aug. 3, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 llPECT TRANSMITTER PULSE E FRU/7 6205i JC'T INDE X LINE PMS: To Mam/Aral? Ln r/T' 1|. nl. n 4# ATTORNEY May 17, 1949. R. M. Bowls 294709464 TIMING AND PHASE CONTROL CIRCUITS Filed Aug. 3, 1942 V 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 ATToRNE Y May 37 3949 R. M. Bowls; 2,47

TIMING AND PHASE CONTROL CIRCUITS Filed Aug. 5, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 VAE/ABLE f Nom/Awe PULSE DHAWT @fc5/VE@ x Q7 Y /7 f TEA/VSM/TTEE @MN/NG PULSE Faxe/vae I .n/ H n 60 a aaaannnmlaraaa P-HTH n 42 INVENTOR Patented May 17, 1949 UNITED STATES foi-*rica 'riMrNo AND rHAsE'coN'mor. cmcurrs l' -v Robert M. Bowie,v Emporium, Pas-assignor lto Sylvania Electric Products Inc., a corporation of Massachusetts Application Augusta, 19.42, serial No; y453,367'v .n.ciaims. V(c1. 34a-13) This invention relates to phase difference dev nected signals. In some instances, the trans mitted signal is a continuous R. F. wave. In other cases, it may be a signal which is applied either as amplitude or frequency modulation upon a radio frequency carrier. It is desirable to operate the locator at such a modulation signal frequency that no ambiguity can exist relative to the reected signal over the entire range of usefulness of the locator, requiring that the signal period must be at least great enough so that the radio energy can leave the transmitter,

be reflected, and return to the receiver orphase comparator in less than one period. The base range of such an instrument can be defined as the distance to which radio energy can be transmitted and reflected back in the time exactly equal to one period of the signal. l An improvement in accuracy is therefore directly associated with a decrease in the base range and vice versa. I have disclosed in my prior application Serial 'No- 435,157, led March 18, 1942, an arrangementfor determining accurately the phase between two signals, preferably of equal frequency, derived from the same source'and transmitted over different paths for which `the transmission times may be' unequal. In that application, I

-have disclosed an arrangement whereby accuknown or calibrated phase shift is introduced between the common or master source and one of the frequency dividers. From the disclosure of my prior application, it will be seen that the phase shift mechanism must be calibrated up to 21m radians where n is the ratio of the two frequencies. Accordingly, it is a principal object of this invention to provide methods and means for producing an unambiguous determination of the phase between two signals whose frequencies bear an integral relation.y

.' A feature ofthe invention relates to a system wherein two signals of diiferentvphasesare'derived from a vmaster oscillator and are subsequently subdivided in frequency in conjunction with a phase comparator which is jointly controlledby both signals over different paths, the

comparator being arranged to avoid ambiguous zero settings tending to result from the multiple frequency ratio between the two signals.

Another feature relates to means for producing two Asignals of different, but integrally relatedv frequencies, which are tobe transmitted over twopaths for phase comparison purposes.

in conjunction with means for definitely and unambiguously identifying the proper cycle of the higher 4frequency signal which `is to be used for phase comparison with the lower frequency signal. y

A further feature relates to means for producing two signals of different but integrally related frequencies which are to be transmitted over different paths for phase comparison, wherein automatic means are provided forblanking out all cycles except a selected cycle of the higher fr equency signal for comparison with the lower frequency signal.

A further feature relates to' an arrangement for producing two signals of different but integrally related frequencies which are to be transmitted over different paths for phase comparison, means being provided for selecting aparticular recurring cycle of the higher frequency signal for phase comparison with the lower frequency signal, and wherein said selection is controlled by the amount of phase delay necessary to be introduced into one path to equalize the phases at a common comparator.

A further feature relates to a. phase comi parator of the cathode-ray tube type having coordinate ray deflection systems wherein both systems are controlled by signals from a master oscillator but at different integrally related frequencies, which frequencies are transmitted over separate paths for phase comparison, and wherein the particular recurring cycle of the higher frequency signal which is selected for comparison with the lower frequency signal is controlled by the lower frequency signal and in accordance with the amount of delay which must be applied to the higher frequency signal to bring it into phase with the low frequency signal.

A further feature relates to a phase comparator of the cathode-ray tube type having a pair of coordinate deflection systems, one of which is controlled at a frequency f and the other ofv which is controlled at a frequency nf, both frequencies being derived from a common master oscillator, in conjunction with a calibrated phase delay device acting from one of said frequencies before application to said comparatorl and a A D'uls'e. blanket which is I quency at the comparator.

quency J for particularizing the .proper cycle of the nf frequency forV comparison with the f fre- A further feature relates to aphase comparator y controlled :by ...the i'reaimant Fig. iis aseries oi wave diagrams lexplanatory l efFig. 1, during one adjustment ofthe system of the cathoderay vtube type having a pair of Vcoordinate-ray deflection systems, one of which is controlled at a frequency j and the other at a frequency nf, in conjunction with a device for producing a blanking pulse under control of the frequency f and for delaying the blanking pulse with respect to the frequency f in accordance with the amount of phase shift necessary to be applied to said frequencies to bring them into phase at the comparator.

I have disclosed in my prior application that it is preferable to employ signal frequency subdivider circuits employing devices which change states of conductivity abruptly upon the receipt of a steep wave front. A divider of that type in effect counts the number of pulses received by it until a predetermined number have been received, e. g. four. Upon the receipt of the fourth impulse, the circuit immediately delivers a pulse from its output. Such a circuit will therefore divide random pulses as well as periodic pulses.y

Hence any kind of disturbance which introduces aspurious pulse into the input can cause the,

divider to miscount as far as the periodic pulses are concerned. Should this occur, it is then necessary to reset thezero. When the phasedetermining device is being used as a goniometer or radio locator for aeroplanes and the like, it is essential that the zero setting remain unchanged over very long periods of time.

It is therefore another principal object of the invention to provide a frequency subdividing arrangement of the impulse counting type which automatically corrects itself if spurious impulses are introduced into the counter. As a result of this improved arrangement, the locating device or goniometer is free from ambiguities tending to result from spurious signals.

Another feature relates to a pulse counter which can be used for frequency subdivision, timing and the like, wherein the effects of interjection of spurious impulses have no cumulative result on the counting.

Another feature relates to a novel form of pulse delaying network.

Another feature relates to an arrangement re-y sponsive to periodic impulses for delaying said impulses and also for providing a blanking pulse whereby a selected recurrent cycle of al higher frequency signal such as a cathode-ray tube deflection signal can 'oe selected or particularized.

A further feature relates to the novel organization, arrangement and relative interconnection of parts which constitute an determining and comparing system.

Other features and advantages not specically enumerated will be apparent after a consideration of the following detailed descriptions and the appended claims.

In the drawing which shows certain preferred embodiments,

Fig. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a rangeilnding system embodying features of the invenion.

Fig. 2 is a wave diagram to explain certain features of the invention.

improved phase- Fig. 3 is a schematic wiring diagram of the variable pulse delayer according to the invention. Fig. 4 is a schematic wiring diagram of the when the flatter is operating normally.

Fig.' 5a is ai schematic view oi the visual signal produced on a cathode-raytube screen withI the setting of the apparatus explained inFig. 5.

Fig. 6 is a 'series of wave diagrams explanatory I of Fig. 1 when .a being made. v

Fig. 6a is a. schematic view ofthe cathode-ray tube signal produced with the setting explained in Fig. 6.

Fig. 7 is a series of wave diagrams explanatory of the automatic zero correction of the pulse subdivider.

Figs. 7a and Ib are schematic illustrations of the appearance of the cathode-ray tube screen dining the short period when automatic zero correction is taking place, while Fig. 7c shows the appearance when the correction has been accomplished.

Fig. 8 shows the appearance of the cathode-ray tube screen with a different connection of the deilecting systems of the cathode-ray tube.

Fig. 9 shows a system similar to Fig. 1 but with a phase comparator of the gas-tube type.

Fig. 10- is a series of wave diagrams explanatory of Fig. 9.

In one of its aspects, the invention is in the nature of an improvement on the type of radio range and locating system described in my copending application Serial No. 435,157, filed March 18, 1942,. l

Referring to Fig. l of the present drawing, the numeral I represents a controlled frequency oscillator of any well-known type capable of generating sustained oscillations, preferably,l` although'not necessarilinof sinusoidal form and at a frequency for example of the order of 3272 C. P. S. A portion of the output of oscillator I is applied to .a calibrated phase adjusting device or network 2 of any known construction, preferably of the type disclosed in said application Se- 'range-iinding adjustment vis rial No. 435,157. The adjusted output of phaser 2 may beapplied to a wave forming network to produce square topped waves 2a of the same frequency. These square topped waves are then applied to a frequency subdivider 3 which may be of any Well-known type. Best results are obtained with divider circuits which change their states of conduction suddenly and substantially coincidentally with the receipt of a steep wave front. As examples of such dividers vmay be mentioned, multi-vibrator electron tube oscillators, blocking tube oscillators e. g.. a self-quenching oscillator such as a super-regenerator, or a scale of 8" such as described by Lifschutz in Review of Scientic Instruments, vol. 9, page 83 (March 1938). Preferably, the divider is so designed and adjusted that it produces a series of square topped waves 3a of a regular frequency which is an integral submultiple of the frequency of Waves 2a. The waves 3a are then impressed upon any well-known pulse former 4 to produce sharp' pulses 4a corresponding to the leading or trailing edges of each of the'waves 3a. Pulses 4a are applied to modulator 5 to modulate the high frequency transmitter 6 which excites the directional antenna 1.

Another portion of the master oscillations from source I are applied to any well-known network 8 for producing saw-tooth waves 8a of the same frequency as source I, which saw-tooth waves after suitable amplification are applied to the j horizontal deilector plates I tube oscilloscope J0. Tube .III may be of any well-g 9 9 of a cathodeeray 'euronet steep positive amies.

llependfingI onl the Y nature j of the spurious pulse, it may either shorten or known constructionhaving a" iluorescing screen j 'A II at'one end .and an electron gun at the other i l-end.' Thiselectron gun' as is well-known may include an electron-emitting cathode I2, a control tenne. I1, whichpicksupthe waves radiatedfrom j I antenna 1. Preferably, although not necessarily, antennae 1 and I1 are'relatively close, or at least are separated by a calibrated distance, so that f antenna 'I1 is energized not only by the waves radiated directly thereto from antenna I but is .also energized by the waves from antenna I after v`they have been directed to and reflected from an object or objects whose range, distance or location is to be, indicated on screen I I.

Inasmuch as the horizontal deflection frequen- Vcy is n times the vertical deflection frequency,

where n" is the ratio of division of divider 3, it is essential that the zero setting' remain unchanged over very vlong -periods of time and so that ambiguity which might otherwise result from the multiple frequency relations between.

the vertical and horizontal scans can be avoided. In order'for the phase shift calibrations of the device 2 to have the propensigniflcance, it must be set at -zero when the time delays are equal lengthen the duration Aof the" square wave output signal 3a, .thus interfering with the periodic op-f eration of the counter asl a frequency divider.

The spurious `pulsebeingconsidered enters .the

input of divider 3 and, as a counter intended for sets of four consecutive equal periods of signals of shape 2a, the divider miscountsas aresult of theinterfering spurious pulse. `Therefore, the distance' between two consecutive vertical pulses 1 of the shape v4a in-Fig. l, or the time between consecutive pulsesmodulating transmitter 6, suddenly changes at the instant when the pulse signal is fed-into divider 3. -This happens just once, at the instant the spurious pulse occurs.

Starting f romthis instant the divider 3 goes on 'counting periodically four consecutive pulses of the-shape 2a, as it did before, until another spurious pulse enters the divider input, which may happen several minutes later.'

Assuming now, for the moment, that the blanking pulse on grid I3 were derived from signal 8a rather than from signal da, the positive along the two paths leading respectively to the I horizontal plates 9 and to the vertical plates I5. VThe time delay along one ofthe paths may include a portion4 of the sawtooth scanning time when the indication of synchronization occurs at the center of the cathode ray tube screen. Since thev divider 3 is preferably one which changes state of conduction abruptly upon the receipt of a steep wave front, any random impulses as well as periodic impulses will be counted. Consequently, any kind of disturbance which introduces a spurious pulse into the input can cause the divider to miscount as far as the periodic pulses are concerned. Should this occur, it is necessary to reset to zero. Divider 3 in Fig. 1 is really a pulse counter which produces a rectangular output signal changing polarity in re.

sponse to every set of four steep' positive pulses arriving at its input. (Instead of counting sets of four impulses, the divider might, of course, be built for counting other integral numbers of positive pulses.) As long as the inputsignal has y a perfect periodic shape, like the one .shown as 2a in Fig. 1, the counter 3 operates really as a frequency divider. Unfortunately, counters of this type are very sensitive, and it is practically impossible to shield them completely from the superimposed on the signal of 4shape 2a, and fed into divider 3. As the divider is really a counter, it will not only count 4the four steep positive pulses shown in 2a but will count any four consecutive grid signal Bwould remain coinciding with every fourth one of the scans 8a, or to be more specific, if N is the order number of a particular scan (oblique line of sawtooth signal8a) counting from an arbitrary beginning, positive grid signal B would occur during scans characterized by the number lN/fH-Ic where N/4 is an integer and lc is less than 4.

If the reected signal has'arrived at the re ceiver before the interference of the spurious signal simultaneously with the scans N/4-i-k, it will not arrive during these scans any longer after the interruption of the normal sequence of vertical. pulses 4a by the spurious signals fed ,-to input of divider 3. The echo signal would thus disappear from screen I I of cathode ray tube I0 and a new zero setting of the adjustable phaser wouldbe necessary for obtaining the correct phase difference. This is impracticable in particular incase of radio locating o f a fast-moving distant object. It is therefore necessary to provide means which automatically shift the positivegrid signal B in such a way that it arrives at grid I3 with a fixed delay after the arrival of each pulse 4a at the input of delayer I3.

This is the reason why, according to the invention, blanking signal I9a in Fig. 1 is not derived directly/'from output signal 8a of sawtooth former 8, but from the output ofpulse former 4, and why positive grid signal B is delayed for the time period of time after every arrival of theperiodic pulse 4a. According to this timing of the grid signal by means of correction circuit I8, the positive grid pulse B will always coincide with a vertical scan which takes place a predetermined time after the occurrence of a pulse 4a. If the time delay produced by delayer I8 was particularizing scan number N/4-i-l before the interferenceof this spurious signal, i. e. was coordikhating grid signal B with scan N/4+1, it will particularize scank number N/4- l-2 (or N/4 or N/4+3 depending on the -error caused by the interference pulse) after the interruption by the spurious signal.

Finally, the mechanical coupling 20 indicated by a dotted line in Fig. 1 merely adjusts the zero setting of the variable pulse delayer ,I8 together with that of phase adjuster 2. The advantage of the correcting circuit composed of variable pulse delayer I8 and blanking pulse formerl I9 over a direct blanking pulse forming from signal 8a out of sawtooth circuit 8 becomes now obvious.

It automatically coordinates the time of blanking pulse B on grid I3 with that particular horizontal scan during which the reilected signal returns to the receiver, quite independent oi occasional interruptions of the periodic sequence of vertical pulses 4a by spurious pulses superimposed on the periodic signal 2a fed to the input of divider 3.

To avoid ambiguity and automatically to restore the sys-tem to its proper zero setting after a miscount due to a spurious pulse, a portion of the output of the subdivided frequency pulse from I is applied to an adjustable pulse delayer I8. the adjustable element of which is mechanically connected to the adjusting element of device 2 as represented by the numeral 20, so that the amount of delay in device I8 is proportional to the amount of adjustment of phaser 2 necessary to equalize the phases over the two paths leading respectively to the horizontal and vertical plates of tube IIJ. Consequently, the delay in output of the device I8 will be definitely correlated with the distance of the object from the receiver and comparator and furthermore the particular one of each set of four horizontal scans corresponding to the proper vertical scan will be properly particularized. In order to produce a visual signal only during this particularized" horizontal scan, it is necessary to blank out the electron beam, so far as its action on screen II is concerned, during the remaining three of the four horizontal scans. For this purpose, the signal IBa from delayer I8 is applied to the blanking pulse former I9 to produce a positive square topped signal B (Figs. 2 and 5) only at the instant corresponding to the proper particularized horizontal scan. Thus as shown in Fig. 2, the signal aa from divider 3 and pulse former 4 is shown as a function of time; the curve 8a shows the horizontal scan signal applied to plates 9; while curve I9a shows the blanking pulse produced by the device I9. Under the assumption that the horizontal scan frequency is four times the signal la and since 4a and I 9a are phase 'locked through the mechanical coupler 2U, the

adjustment of member 20 at any given position '8 (Fig. 2) would continue to particularize a wrong one of the four horizontal scans. However. by means of the operation of the devices I8 and Il. the blanking pulse can particularize the wrong scan for an extremely short interval of time. of

the order of the period of the divided output.

' cathode so that it draws both grid and plate will determine the phase delay between pulses la and lila, and this delay will remain fixed according to the setting of member 20. This delay will therefore be a function of the range of the object whose distance is being determined. Thus in the particular relation illustrated in Fig. 2, the

member 20 has been adjusted so that the pulses I9a particularize the third of each set of four recurring horizontal scans 8a. Consequently, there can be no ambiguity as to which horizontal scan is being viewed on the screen II. In other words, the blanking pulse A (Fig. 2) is in eilect a negative voltage which when applied to the control grid I3 of tube I0 prevents the production of a visual trace on screen II. and a trace is only produced under control of the positive component B which is a sensitizing or coordinating pulse, particularizes the third horizontal -scan of each set of four. It should be understood that the blanking pulses and the horizontal scan remain locked together for any given setting of device 2 but are movable manually in time with reference to divider output.

In the foregoing, the proper one of each set of four horizontal scans will be, particularized only so long as the divider 3 receives the periodic impulses of the proper frequency. If a spurious pulse should be interjected, the divider would 4ordinarily miscount and the blanking pulse A current. At the same time. control grid 2B of tube 23 draws current, with the result that 'the output at terminal 29 is at a minimum. When the steady state is disturbed by the application of a pulse of the type represented by la from the divider and pulse former of Fig. 1, a sudden change in the state of conduction is initiated between the cathode and plate of tube 2| which thereupon becomes conducting. This plate current charges condenser 3| through the adjustable timing resistor 32 so that the bias oi grid 21 is thereupon reduced to aV value at which the plate circuit of 22 becomes non-conductive. This condition continues only so long as the plate circuit of tube 22 is non-conductive. As the timing circuit 3l, 32 discharges, an instant is reached when tube 22 starts to reconduct whereupon the circuit suddenly reverts to its steady state. Thus, the duration of the unstable state of conduction of the circuit can be controlled by adjustment of the resistor 32. The voltage which is applied to the condenser 34 is a square toppedy wave which develops positive and negative pulses represented by pulses 33a, 33h, across the resistor 33. The positive pulses 33a are synchronous with the pulses 4a, while the negative pulses 33h are delayed as determined by the adjustment of resistor 32. The action of tube 23 is -to eliminate the positive pulses 33a and to invert the negative pulses 33h to give the delayed pulses I8a at the output terminal 29.

The blanking pu1se former to which terminal 29 is connected is similar to that of Fig. 3 but with all the components to the right of tube 22 omitted. This is illustrated in Fig. 4 wherein the tubes lilla, 3Ia, are similar to tubes 2l and 22 and function in the same manner. Thus in the steady state, tube 30a is biased by battery 32a 'to plate current cut-oil while tube 3 la is conductive. When delayed pu1se I8a from device I8 (Figs. 1 and 3)`is applied to grid 33a, it results in square-topped waves 19a at the output terminal 34a as represented by the negative component A and the positive component B. 'I'he component Afls referred to herein as the blanking pulse while component B is referred to as a sensitizing pulse and their durations are controlled by the time constant of the combination, 36. It will be seen, therefore, that the length of the blanking pulse A is determined by the setting of resistor 35 and is adjusted to give a blanking pulse `of duration equal to three periods of the horizontal scan. The duration of the sensitizing pulse B is the difference between the period of the divider output and the duration of A.

" amOuniL Under normal conditions this is one period of the sents the blanking and sensitizing pulses and.

corresponds to pulses A and B (Figs. 2 and 4). Trace 43 represents the horizontal sawtooth wave scan (Fig. 2) while trace represents a typical output of the receiver I8 (Fig. 1 The delay between pulses 4a and I8a is controlled by the mechanical coupling 20. Pulse I8a initiates the negative component A of the blanking pulses ISa which, under the assumed conditions. is three times the duration of the positive component B. In other words, the negative voltage A is of such a duration that it blanks out threeunwanted scans 8a as represented by the dotted saw-tooth waves in trace 43. The duration of the positive or sensitizing component B of trace 42 is then merely the difference between the duration of the blanking component A and the period of the signal of the phase delayer I8. The horizontal scan of trace 43 shows the scanning voltage as a function of time, however only during the undotted scans is the trace of the electron spot or beam visible on the screen II because of the effect ofwthe blanking pulse. The typical receiver output (trace 44) comprises in this instance for illustration, several reflected signals or echoes as well as the direct transmitted pulse from I to Il (Fig. 1) for which there is, of course, no reflection time, the transmitting antenna being adjacent to the receiving antenna or possibly being the same antenna. This direct pulse is of such strength as to saturate the receiver thus limiting the amplitude of the pulse to a xed n the screen II comes to rest at the top of the pulse for a. brief moment before returning. For this reason, the direct pulse always has a bright spot at its top. In Fig. 5a which shows the visual appearance of the trace on the screen II, this bright spot is designated by the numeral 45 at the top ofthe vertical trace. This spot 45 distinguishes the direct visual trace in the succeeding diagrams to be explained. In addition to the direct transmitter pulse, the typical receiver output may contain reflections from objects within the "ileld of view. For purposes of explanation, the drawing shows the eiect of several objects. one atvclose range and onefor which the range ls being sought which will be referred to as a typical echo. As represented byv Fig. 5a, the phaser 2 has been set so that the direct pulse appears at the index line on the screen II and in this condition the phaser time is set at zero.

In Figs. 6 and 6a, the normal operation of the system is again depicted, but in this case the phaser dial has been rotated so as to'cause the typical echo T to appear at the index line on the screen I I. As the phaser dial is rotated in the direction to produce the effect of increasing distance of reflection, the variable delayer I8 The visible trace of this direct pulse 10 ance of the screen is therefore as shown in Fig. 6a.

Fig. 7 illustrates the conditions in which an injection error occurs, that is, when a spurious impulse or impulses are injected into the divider .3. The trace 46 shows the result of two spurious injections which occur between the normal pulses 4m and 4a'2. Thus the timing between pulse 4a and the next pulse 4a; is, in this instance, half of what it should have been. The resulting pulse from the delayer is shown by trace 41. It will be seen that p\ulse 4ax is in the pulse delayer when the miscounted pulse 4a: comes along and since vthe delayer can respond to` but one pulse at a time, it is unable to discriminate the arrival of pulse 40,2. ,Hence, there is no delayed pulse corresponding to the pulse 4a: in the trace 41. The delayed pulse I8a1 initiates a blanking pulse A of normal duration at the termination of which the cathode-ray tube becomes conductive as shown by the positive component B, until the next delayed pulse I 8a3 initiates another blanking pulse A of normal duration. Under these conditions, two undesired scans of the saw-tooth waves of trace 49 are visible during the period B of trace 48. As the result of pulse 4m, the receiver produces the signal represented by the trace 50. 'This is the termination of a regular sequence of similar pulses resulting from regularly spaced pulses 4a from the divider 3. Then a new series of regular pulses is initiated resulting from pulses 4a2, 4ax, 4a4, and so onas shown by trace 5I. The receiver integrates or adds all these pulses together and delivers a signal of the type shown in trace 52. By looking at the particularized horizontal scan and the total receiver output of trace `52, it can be' seen what the screen II will look like. The normal appearance should be that of scan 49e (Fig. 7c) in this instance, while during scan 49a (Fig. 7a) the direct transmitter pulse and a close reflection are superimposed because of the transmitter pulse arising from pulse 4a2. Scan 45h (Fig. 7b) is in reality three successive scans, one of Which is the desired one. In this particular case, it will be seen that spurious signals appear upon the screen I I for the equivalent of two normal periods of the transmitter. If the master oscillator is operating at 4000 C. P. S., this means that the spurious scans would occur in 1/soo of a second and that therebefore and thereafter normal scans would be visible.

f One of the most important features of the invention can be observed from Fig. 7 from whence it will be seen that the delay between pulse 4a and pulse I8a, is originated from each pulse 4a y to the modulator 5. The variable pulse delayer is caused .by the mechanical coupling 20 to produce a longer delay between pulses 4a and lila.,

I8 therefore has no "memory of what went on before the injection error. It always (except for perhaps 1/500 of a second at the time of error) particularizes a scan which follows at a predetermined time after the transmitter pulse, the echo of which it is desired to make appear at the index line on screen II. To state this in a different way, the delay and the echo originate from the same pulses.

While one particular manner of connecting the elements of the circuit of Fig. 1 to achieve the results of the invention has been described, it will ybe clear that other manners of connection may be employed. For example, the phaser 2 may be located between the oscillator I and the wave former 8 instead of between the oscillator I and the divider 3. Furthermore, if the blanking pulses instead of being square-topped waves l-lv are saw-tooth waves of periodicity equal to that of the divider output and are fed to the vertical plates I while the output of the receiver Il is fed to the grid I3, the screen I I would appear as shown in Fig. 8. In this instance, four faint scanning lines 50, 5I, 52, 53 would appear, and along these lines there would be bright spots 54, 55, 56, 51, etc. representing reflections from. various objects in the event that the device is being used as a radio locator. If the distance corresponding to one of these reflections is of interest, the phaser 2 will be so adjusted that 'the index 56 will indicate the desired spot. If

however the device is being used to measure phase shift or time delay in a transmission line or the like where only one reflection is involved, all four lines will have but one spot upon them. When that spot is coincident with the index 58 the difference in time delay between two paths of transmission can be read directly from the phaser time.

It is not necessary that a cathode-ray tube indicator be usedas the null indicating device. A neon lamp or the like can also be used. Thus as shown in Fig. 9 wherein the parts corresponding to those of Fig. 1 bear the same designation numerals, the waves from oscillator I are applied to two paths, one leading to the adjustable phaser 2, thence through the divider and pulse former 3, 4, and thence to the modulator 5, transmitter t and antenna l; and in parallel to the variable pulse delayer I8 and blanking pulse former i9. The other path over which the waves from oscillator I are transmitted includes a sensitizing pulse former 59 which converts the sinusoidal oscillations from oscillator I into sharp pulses 59a (Fig. As described above, the divided pulses 4a from the divider pulse former 3 4 produce blanking pulses A having a predetermined delay with respect to the pulses 4a. The relation between the three sets of pulses 4a, 59a and the blanking pulses are represented by the trace 60, 6I and 62 of Fig. 10. The demodulated output of the receiver I6 is applied to the control grid 63 of a pentode high vacuum tube 64. The blanking pulses from device I9 are applied to the shield grid 65 while the sensitizing pulses 59a are applied to the suppressor grid 6B. The plate El of the pentode is connected in parallel through a gaseous glow lamp 68 of any well-known type, and resistor 69 to the positive terminal of the power supply. With this arrangement, the pentode 64 is susceptible to conduction to light the lamp 68 only during that instant when the positive or sensitizing component B of the blanking pulse and a corresponding sensitizing pulse 56a are simultaneously applied to the grids 65 and 66. VAt this instant only a pulse from the receiver I6 will cause the neon tube 68 to flash. Referring to Fig. 10. it will be seen that the blanking pulse of trace 62 appears at the frequency of the divider output but not necessarily at the same phase and the positive componentB of the blanking pulse particularizes every fourth sensitizing pulse. Hence. no ambiguity can exist even though the phaser 2 is calibrated to four times 360.

What I claim is:

1. In a range finder of the echo type, a source of master oscillations, a pair of paths energized under control of said source. a wave radiator and a wave detector in one path, said detector arranged to be controlled by the energy from said radiator as reflected by the object whose range is. tobe determined, a phase comparator in the other path, a frequency subdivider in one of said paths for producing pulses of longer periodicity than the periodicity of the master oscillations. a phase adjuster in at least one of said paths and acting on the waves from the master oscillator prior to said subdivision, means connecting said tions between the two sets of waves in said paths.

2. In a system of the character described, a

master oscillator, a pair of paths excited under control of said oscillator, one of said paths iny cluding in sequence a frequency subdivider, a pulse former and a radio transmitter which is controlled by the output of said pulse former; the

other of said paths including a steep `front signal wave former; a common link between said paths including a radio receiver controlled by said transmitter, and an oscilloscope having two coordinate deilecting systems and a signal indication control element, one of said deilecting systems being controlle'd by said radio receiver and the other dei'lecting system being controlled by said steep wave-front signal former in said other path: a calibrated phase adjuster in one of said paths between the master oscillator and the frequency subdivider; means to develop a sensitizing signal at the same periodicity as the signal from said subdivider but delayed in time with respect thereto in accordance with the setting of said phase adjuster, and means to apply said sensitizing signal to said control element.

3. A system according to claim 2 in which said frequency subdivider is of the type which changes conductivity abruptly with the application of a steep wave front thereto and is of the pulse counting type, and means are provided between said subdividerand the sensitizing signal means to limit automatically the effect of spurious pulses in said subdivider to a very small period of time of the order of the periodicity of the subdivided frequency so that the effect of said spurious pulses does not become cumulative.

4. In a system of range finding by radio echo, a

cathode-ray tube oscilloscope having three control elements one of which is a control grid and the other two are beam deflection controls, a master oscillator, means to impress on one of said deflection control elements pulses at the master oscillator frequency, a frequency subdivider of the periodic pulse counting type for subdividing the frequency of a portion of the master oscillations. transmitter to transmit said subdivided ,frequency signals over a high frequency radio channel to an object, means yto detect the said signals after reflection from the object, means to apply the detected signals to another deflection control element, means for causing said tube to produce a zero setting indication in response to the direct transmission of signals from said .transmitter to said detector, means connected to said control grid to select only a particular recurring period of the master oscillation frequency for comparison with the subdivided frequency means automatically eiective to prevent cumulative error in said zero setting when said frequency subdivider miscounts as a result of the spurious injection of pulses into said divider.

5. A pulse delayer comprising a set of three grid-controlled tubes, the first tube being normally biassed to plate current cutoff, while the second and third tubes are normally plate conductive, means responsive to the impression of a sharp pulse on the first tube to render it plate conductive and the second tube non-conductive for a predetermined period of time, means to produce a pair of pulses at the beginning and end of each period of plate conductivity of said second tube, said pairs being of opposite polarity and one of which is in phase synchronism with the pulses impressed on the first tube, and means to impress said pairs of pulses on said third tube whereby the first of each pair is suppressed and the second is inverted in polarity.

6. A pulse delayer comprising a set of three grid-controlled tubes, the first of which is normally biassed to plate current cutoff and the second of which is normally plate conductive, circuit means interconnecting the first and second tubes to render the second tube non-conductive for a predetermined interval after the impression of a sharp pulse on the first tube, means to produce a pair of steep pulses of opposite sign and corresponding respectively to the end and beginning of each plate conductive period of said second tube, and means connecting said second tube to said third tube so that in the output of the third tube the first of each pair of pulses is suppressed and the second is inverted in sign.

7. Apparatus for determining the phase delay in a transmission system comprising means to produce a first periodic signal and a second periodic signalwith the periods of the second signal recurring an integral number of times in the interval between successive periods of the first signal, means to produce an indication only during the timed coordination of the periods in one signal with the periods in the other signal, means for producing a known-controlled phase shift in the first signal, and means to maintain said timed coordination for different settings of said phase shift control means to cause said indication to represent the true amount of said phase delay.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 in which the means for vmaintaining said timed coordination comprises means to derive a blanking control signal for blanking the said indication producing means during the intervals between successive periods of said first signal.

9. Apparatus according to claim 7 in which the means for maintaining said timed coordination comprises means to derive a blanking control signal for blanking said indication producing means during the intervals between successive periods of the first signal, said blanking signal being phase-locked to said first signal.

10. Apparatus according to claim '7 in which the means for maintaining said timed coordination comprises means to produce a blanking control signal for blanking said indication producing means during the intervals between successive periods of the first signal, means to phase-lock said blanking control signal to said rst signal, and means to produce a time delay between said first signal and said blanking control signal which s time delay is a function of the setting of said phase shift control means.

11. Apparatus according to claim 7 in which both the first and second signals are of steep front periodic waves.

12. The method of determining the phase delay in a transmission systemv which comprises. producing a first periodic signal and a second periodic signal with the periods of the second signal recurring an integral number of times in the interval between successive periods of the first signal. producing an indication only during a predetermined time coordination of the periods in the first signal with the periods of the second` signal. subjecting the first signal .to a phase shift corresponding in amount to the phase delay to be measured while maintaining said timed coordination to cause said indication to represent the true amounts of said phase delay.

13. The method according to claim 12 in which a blanking control signal is produced under control of the first signal for blanking said indication except when the periods of the first and second signals are in said predetermined timed coordination.

14. The method according to claim 12 in which a blanking control signal is produced under control of the first signal for blanking said indication except when `the periods of the first and second signals are in said predetermined timed coordination, and controlling the time delay between said blanking control signal and said first signal in accordance with the'extent of said phase shift.

15. The method of determining the phase delay in a transmission system which comprises, producing a first periodic signal and a second periodic signal the periodicities of which bear an integral relation greater than unity and with the periods of the second signal recurring an integral number of times in the intervals between successive periods of the rst signal, applying both signals to a common phase comparator, shifting the phase of one signal with respect to the other in proportion to the amount of said phase delay to be measured, and producing a blanking control signal for rendering said two signals effective on said comparator only when the periods of the two signals are in a predetermined timed coordination.

16. The method according to-claim 15 in which said blanking control signal is time delayed with respect to said first signal, and said time delay is automatically correlated with the extent of said phase shift in the first signal.

17. The method according to claim 15 in which said blanking control signal is produced at the same periodicity as said rst signal, but is delayed with respect thereto an amount corresponding to the amount of said phase shift in said first signal.

18. The method of range-finding by a radio echo which comprises, producing a first periodic signal and a second periodic signal with the periods of the second signal recurring an integral .number of times in the interval'betwecn successive periods of the first signal, converting the first signal into sharp pulses, applying said sharp pulses to modulate a high frequency radio carrier to produce an echo upon reflection from a distant object, producing a blanking control signal under control of said sharp pulses, delaying said blanking control signal with respect to said sharp pulses proportionately to the range to be determined, and simultaneously comparing the echo signal and the second signal under control of said blanking control signal to cause a signal indication to be produced only during the timed coordination between the periods of the first and second signals.

19. In a system of radio-range finding of a distant object, a phase comparator, means to control said comparator simultaneously by waves from a master oscillator transmitted over different paths, one path including a radio -channel from the oscillator to and from the object and thence' to the comparator.`the other path a substantially directy one from the master, usen-f,

lator to the comparator.y a phase adjuster in the nrst path and ,adjustable in proportiony to the range to 'be determinedymeans toy subdivide the frequencyof the yoscillations from the first' path the waves in the yother path, ythe waves in the vsecondy path recurringv an integral number of l times yin the interval betweensuccessive waves in the i'lrst path. means to detect the radio echo v f the waves in said radio channel as reflected from, the object, andfmeans to blank: out the effector saidvr recurring wavesy of those in saidY other path toy cause said comparator to produce ay signalv indication only when the waves in the rv" ilrst path arefin predetermined timedv coordinaf y y tionwith the vwaves of the second path and correspending to the setting'of saidiphase adjuster.

20,*In a system ofthe type described, an inl dicating phase comparator. means to derive from a common rsource two' periodic signals, the secondl signaly of the ysaid two signals having a plurality of periodslrecurring between 'successive periods 'of ,the first signal, Imeans vto apply said signals to vrsaid comparator; meansv to derive from the rst signal a succession of co'rifiparator sensitizing signals'and' at the'same periodicity as said first f y signals, means tovfadjustthe phase of said iirst f @to an integral, submultiple of the fr'equency of' of the output of saidv pulse yfvorr'ne'r isr impressed',

' and means to' derive .said blanking control signals means to produce two signals of different' perioy dicities with the second signal having recurring periods betweenr successiver yperiodsr rof the' rst Y signal, means to' subject vthe nrstrsignal to a' known-controlled rphase, shift, means to derive ra.' periodic coordinatingsignal at the same vperisaid coordinating signal to maintain a predeterf mined i timed coordination between the periods' y ofthe rst and second'fsignals vfor different ad',-y

' v.iustments of said phaseshift, the last-mentioned l rmeans including means to'convert the first *signalsy y into sharp pulses, meansy to convert each pulse yinto a pair of sharp pulses with the second pulse of each pairr delayed a 'predeterminedlamouna means tosuppress the iirstpulse of each of said signal, and rmeansto apply both'said signals,vrv

' andv said sensitizingsignal to said vcomparator to v cause an indication to be produced onlyv when y the periods'of the'rst signal are'in timed Lo-y y ordination with predetermined periods of the secv yond signal andy :corresponding to the setting of lsaid phase' adjusting means. y 21. A system according to claim 20 in which the ysaid sensitizingzsignals are provided withy means l for time delaying them with respect to said iii-st f y vsignal to maintain said timed coordination. v

f 22. Av system according to claim 20k in whichy said comparator 'is a cathode-ray tubey oscillovv'scope having an electron gunv for developing an electronbeam, a fluorescent screen upon which said beam impinges, a control element for varying the eiect of said beam of said screen, and a pair of coordinate beam deflection systems; means to apply the first signal to one of the deflecting systems; means to apply the second signal to the other defiecting system; and means to apply said sensitlzing signals to said control element to produce an indication only during said timed coordination.

23. A system according to claim 20 in which said comparator includes an electron-discharge tube having a control grid, a pair of auxiliary grids and a plate, means to apply the first signal to the control grid, means to apply the second signal to one of said auxiliary grids, means to apply said sensitizing signals to another of said auxiliary grids, and an indicator controlled by d the plate current of said tube.

24. In a system of the character described, means to produce two signals of different periodicities with the second signal having recurringv periods between successive periods of the ilrst signal, means to subject the first signal to a known-controlled phase shift, means to derive a periodic blanking control signal at the same periodicity as said first signal, means to maintain a predetermined timed coordination between the periods of the first and second signals for diierent adjustments of said phase shift, the lastmentioned means including a pulse former for converting the first signals into sharp pulses, an adjustable pulse delayer upon which a portion vfio pairs vmeans* to convert the lunsuppressed pulsey of each pair into said coordinating signal, a-phase comparator comprisinga grid-controlled electron tube havinga plurality of elements for'controL lingvthe electron stream, means to impress said coordinating signal ony one of rsaid 1controlwelements, and means tov impress the ilrst and second signals on the othercontrol elements of said tube.

26.fA system according toclaimrz in which saideleetrontube vis, of the cathode-ray oscilloscope type,v and said one r4of said controlv elements is a control grid, the other control elements f 2 v being respectively*beam-deecting members, yand `means to apply said coordinating signal toisaid control grid so thatan indication is produced on the fluorescent screen of the oscilloscope only when said coordinating signal bears a predetermined timed coordination withthe periods ofsaid rst signal.

27. A system according to claim 25 in which said electron tube is of the pentode type, means to impress said coordinating signal on the shield grid of said pentode, means to impress said rst signal on the suppressor grid o1' said pentode, and means to impress the second signal on the control grid 'of said pentode.

28. In a system of the character described, a. master oscillator for controlling the production of two periodic signals of different periodicity, a frequency divider having a, pulse counter for producing the signal of lower periodicity,

, means to compare the timed coordination of both signals including a phase adjuster, means for producing an indication when said signals are in timed coordination, said pulse counter tending to produce a false count when subjected to spurious impulses. and means to `substantially elimi-v nate said false counting.

29. A system according to claim 28 in which said pulse counter is of the type which changes states of conductivity suddenly in response to impressed steep waves, and the last-mentioned means includes a, variable puise delayer controlled by said pulse counter, a blanking pulse former controlling said pulse delayer, and an electron tube having a plurality of electron control elements on which the blanking pulses and the lower periodicity signals are respectively impressed.

30. In combination, means to produce two sepodicity as said rst signal; meansr controlled by y 17 arate signals in the form of pulses of the same periodicity and of steep wave front, a frequency subdivder of the type employing a pulse counter and which changes states of conductivity suddenly in response to impressed waves, means to impress one of said signals on said subdivider to produce periodic pulses of longer periodicity than the impressed pulses, a visual-indicating device for comparing the time coordination of said two signals, said device having means to produce a zero setting indication when both said signals are l in timed coordination, said pulse counter tending to produce false zero indications When subjected to spurious impulses, and means to restore automatically said zero setting indication a short interval after said frequency subdivider has been subjected to said spurious impulses.

31. The combination according to claim 30 in which the duration of said interval is limited to a period corresponding to the periodicity of the longer periodicity signal.

32. An arrangement for determining the phase delay in an electric transmission network, comprising a master oscillator, two channels leading from said oscillator and terminating in a phase comparator, one of said channels including in sequence a calibrated variable phase delayer, a frequency subdivider and said transmission network, said phase comparator having a timing control which undergoes a plurality of unit time excursions for each period of the signal from said frequency subdivider, the periodicity of said unit time excursions being "n times the periodicity of said subdivided frequency, where "n is an integer greater than 1, means linking said comparator with said variable phase delayer to cause each successive periods of the subdivided frequency signal to be effective on said comparator only during equal time spaced units of said excursions, and means controlled by said variable 18 delayer toautomatically determine the timed coordinations between said subdivided frequency signals and said excursions for comparing the signals in said channels.

33. An arrangement according to claim 32 in which the last-mentioned means controls a coordinating time period of duration substantially equal to the period of the signals from said other channel.

34. The method of producing a series of pulses spaced apart in accordance with a series of like supply pulses but delayed a predetermined time interval in relation thereto, `which comprises the steps of generating a pair of pulses of opposite polarity in response to the supply pulses, the i'lrst pulses of the pairs being substantially synchronous with the supply pulses and of like polarity,

and the second pulses being delayed by the predetermined time interval, blanking the iirst geny erated pulses, and inverting the second pulses.

` ROBERT M. BOWIE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

